What are the responsibilities and job description for the Groundskeeper position at Town of Chapel Hill?
Summary of Position:
The purpose of this position is to maintain landscape and grounds of town facilities, right of ways, parks, playgrounds, greenways, trails, athletic fields, and cemeteries. It may work with athletic facility and greenway maintenance, right of Way Maintenance or regular parks maintenance.
Positions that are Specialist Certified are a progression after employee attains special certification(s).
What you can expect to be doing (Essential Functions):
- Works with their respective crew to include but not limited to mowing, edging, string trimming, blowing, debris removal, pruning of trees and vegetation and the maintenance of Town rights of way, Downtown, and all Parks & Recreation facilities.
- Sets up, monitors, adjusts, and makes minor repairs to irrigation systems.
- Completes other duties include assisting in setting up special events, cleaning up after storm damage, clear snow and ice, removing leaves, and spreading mulch.
- Maintains turf and plantings on all the Towns facilities; mows; string trims; edges; waters; fertilizes; aerates; prunes; blows leaves; mulches.
- Operates equipment and performs maintenance on equipment; operates equipment according to the operator's manual; checks fluids; greases moving parts; checks pressure; sharpens blades; and cleans equipment.
- Operates/drives vehicles such as trucks, utility vehicles, tractors, and mowers.
- Completes all other duties as assigned.
This position has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.
What are the physical demands?
The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, lift 50 lbs and distinguish between shades of color.
Where and how do you work?
The employee regularly works outside in all weather conditions and will be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, irritating chemical, machinery with moving parts, and heavy traffic. The work requires the use of protective devices such as chaps, hard hats, eye wear, masks, gloves and or goggles.
What do you need to know to do this job effectively?
Knowledge of:
- Current landscaping practices and procedures.
- Trends and practices of grounds maintenance techniques.
- Relevant town ordinances, policies, and procedures.
- Management and supervisory principles and practices.
- Methods of proper use and maintenance of landscape equipment.
- Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to personnel processes.
- Safe application of pesticides and fertilizer.
- Safe Work Zone and Rights of Way practices.
- In use of ropes, pulleys and lowering equipment.
- In use and maintenance of woodchippers and winch lines.
- In use and maintenance of chainsaws, trimmers and landscape tools in compliance with OSHA, ANSI and ISA rules and regulations.
Ability to:
- Operate such equipment and machinery as riding and push mowers, line trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers and leaf vacuums.
- Use such tools as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, hedge trimmers, and pruning shears.
- Best Management Practices in pruning, mulching and maintenance of trees and shrubs.
- Basic map reading and computer operation skills.
- Use web-based software systems.
- Use Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, or similar tools.
- Solve problems and make sound decisions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and customers.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Model behavior that is consistent with our values of RESPECT.
What is education and/or experience do you need to be considered for this job?
Education
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Experience
A minimum 1 year of experience preferred.
What are the safety considerations for this job?- You may be randomly drug tested while on the job.?
- You will be subject to the Safe Driving and Accident Policy.?
Here is other information you should know about the position:
- A valid NC driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites is required.?
- Certifications for Specialist (Certified): Pesticide License, Playground Inspector.
- Chosen candidate may be required to have an NC pesticide license within 6 months of hire.
The Town of Chapel Hill has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Chapel Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit
Last modified on April 28, 2026.
Salary : $42,475 - $55,217